Most people assume we don’t really have seasons here in Central Australia. They would be wrong. It is Autumn here now, and for the last few weeks I have been inspired… giddy… okay, obsessed, with the changes in the light as it skims the mountains, is filtered by cloud, washes the kitchen bench, highlights the garden. My husband chuckles at me photographing food in the morning and late afternoon light in the kitchen. Then he calls me to see the odd shaped clouds or the colour of the sky at sunset.

It is glorious.

The nights have cooled and the days no longer require air conditioning in the house. We can come out of hibernation from the heat and intense sun. We often get a bit of rain this time of year, usually to spoil the Easter weekend camping experience! Easter was later this year, however, and the rain came at its usual time, so everyone is happy. When you only receive about 200mm (8 inches) of rain in a year and you get 100mm in one week, it grabs your attention.

Months of red dust rinsed from the leaves, filling up the basin until the dry river bed was replenished, and began to flow. See the Todd flow thrice and you are considered a ‘local’. I have lost count. There is always palpable excitement as locals, and tourists alike, flock to the river to see and photograph it during a few days of flow. And then it is gone again. It retreats underground like a great, mysterious serpent.

The Serpent of water appears

The Serpent is gone.

Our causeway dissolved into river and was blocked for a short while, so we had to travel an extra five minutes into town. The ‘hardship’ is worth it! All is dry again now, and all that remains is the proof of what transpired; fresh blades of new grass, green leaves resplendent, and a few dewy, morning remnants of moisture hovering above ground.

And there is the light. Always, there is the light that is so inspiring. Below is a gallery of photos I hope will bring some light to your life.

–Ardys

(if you move your curser over each photo you will see the titles pop up, and if you double click on the photos you can see them full size)

Beautiful photographs Ardys. It’s usual to think of changes in light as Autumn approaches but so odd to see so much new growth prompted by the rains. The cherry alamanda looks gorgeous.
xxx Huge Hugs for Easter xxx

Luscious photos, Ardys. And some perfectly paired words to accompany them. I’d like to step right through a few.
Just curious, did it take you a while to get used to the flipped seasons? Easter as a splendid autumnal celebration? I feel my body would trip over the adjustment for quite some time.
Happy, hoppy day! xx

After 30 years, I’m still not fully used to the holidays being in different seasons. The most difficult is Christmas, of course. I’ll never get used to a hot Christmas. Hot Thanksgiving is difficult too, just too hot to cook all those lovely foods most years. Having said that, I don’t dislike the heat, it’s just an odd match when it comes to holidays. Maybe in another 30 years I’ll be used to it! Thanks Shelley.

Just beautiful! I love the glimpses of the light in Alice, it all seems so red and golden, like that magic time we get sometimes in the evening here on a clear day. Do you ever get fog or mist or is it just way too dry for that? The river Todd sounds like a great event too, very exciting and wonderful landscape to live in. we are in glowing yellow green Spring right now, trees busting out and birds singing their courting songs from dawn till dusk. xx Joanna

Beautiful celebration of Autumn and its light. [One of the wonderful things about WordPress is posts from people, who like you, showcase show beautifully their love of where they live.] My favourite time of year. I thought of you while we spent Easter & ANZAC Day at Taylors Arm – our common Cherry Alamanda amassed with stunning blooms, and our newly installed free to air TV satellite transmits Imparja channel 9 so the advts are predominantly from Alice Springs.

Lovely, lovely photos – I do wonder about Alice….even as an Aussie (or perhaps because I am) I know so little about it. I can so relate to photographing madly to try and capture that amazing light, fascinating changes and gorgeously unique colours. I’m so glad you did 🙂